Informed Teachers Network

29/08/2024

29/08/2024

Reading comments on social media sweet pass ice-cream 😄

29/08/2024

Over the past few days, I have been interning at the Mental Health Unit at Battor Catholic Hospital.

As Counseling Psychologists, we fit into various work environments, including the health sector.

One key concept I have further consolidated is that our environment influences us just as much as we influence it, and this significantly extends to our profession, where we spend most of our conscious adult life.

In effect, the type of profession, the work environment, the training you receive to get there, and the clients you interact with, along with their experiences, all influence how you interpret the world.

Working with people who have mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc., and listening to their life experiences as a result of their conditions, has given me a different perspective on life.

One woman (48) showed up crying. She said she was tired and no longer wanted to take her medication. There's a voice in her head telling her she's going to d!e that day.

A 65-year-old man also came in angry because he had just remembered that both his parents had passed away, and he realized he was an orphan. And here he is having to take medication every sigle day of his life to even sleep. He couldn't understand why he alone was left in this world to suffer.

A young man of 25 was also referred to the unit. He had taken insecticide in an attempt to take his own life because his mother was giving him too much pressure.

After interacting with these individuals, I mostly come back home with a headache.

People are really going through a lot, and a lot is also going through some people's minds. Brethren, when you pray, pray for good health and remember to take it easy on yourself.

This my job is hard, but compared to teaching, I would say teaching is harder and more physically demanding. Teachers deserve a raise n salary. Our job no dey ground.

Let me quickly add: my program is a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education. To those who think that any program with 'education' in the title limits you to the classroom, it's time to open your mind and explore. The only place that limitation exists is in your mind.

**ANNOUNCEMENT:**
Forms are on sale for the MEd Counseling Psychology 2024/25 academic year at UEW.
Thank you.
**N/B:** The sender does not accept replies. Please check the University website.

29/08/2024

It's a big joke in Ghana and the moment you begin to say the truth, they think you're politically motivated.

We all pay taxes and need to know what our taxes are use for. If we were to have the chance to look into the account of the "political class" businesses properties and other assets, that's when we will know they are taking us for granted.

Most of them are just taking soo much from the state that Ghana will never grow. How can a country with GOLD, DIAMOND, COCOA, BAUXITE, TIMBER, RUBBER TREES, PALM TREES, FERTILE LAND ETC be suffering like this.

Which wrong have we caused? Some Countries don't have quarter of what we have but they are better than Ghana.

Things are really bad in the market. High prices everywhere. The market is the best place to text the economy. These days when you go to the market, you will come home with broken heart and anger. The prices are just too much.

Can you believe that some of the big state companies are making losses? They declare losses year by year and those in charge are still at post.

We can never grow if we keep following the political classes blindly, let's always remember that most of them have their children schooling abroad.

Wicked Leaders. The old generation have failed we the young once and if you're a young person reading this, remember one day you will regret following and defending them.

Stephen Agbemasiku

29/08/2024

Good morning, colleagues. I hope you're all doing well. I've been conducting my own research on the Ghana Education Service (GES) release requirements and have found inconsistencies across districts. Some districts require a minimum of five years of service, while others require four or three years. I'm seeking clarification on the official policy. Additionally, I've noticed that some teachers are being denied release from their current posts despite confirmed vacancies in other districts. Could anyone explain the criteria or merits GES uses to grant releases? I appreciate your insight and guidance on this matter. Thank you.

29/08/2024

You can ask again oo.

29/08/2024

I was reading and my head was spinning. I had resolved to overlook people's grammar errors on social media and focus on the substance of their messages, but this one over me. Why not just type something short and save yourself from all these grammatical troubles? Now, I'm dizzy😄. English no be your mate.

Screenshot from: Jay Kwashie

29/08/2024

I felt sad watching this. We need to share this with every Ghanaian youth. We really need to wake up.

29/08/2024

I sometimes wonder if the SRC is a disguised means to extort additional money from students, as I don't understand why they've taken on infrastructure development instead of representing students and voicing their concerns to the relevant authorities, much like our MPs. They make juicy infrastructure promises and and latter be struggling to keep them. Meanwhile they know infrastructure development is the work of the DCE. The school authorities should be responsible for building the school infrastructure.

28/08/2024

BANK OF GHANA
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
THE CONCEPT OF “NEXT OF KIN” IN BANK ACCOUNT OPERATION

Bank of Ghana seeks to promote financial inclusion and, on that basis,
encourages all citizens of legal age to own a bank account or mobile money
account. As part of the Know-Your-Customer policy, during account
opening, financial institutions require certain information from you (the
customer) to be able to identify and contact you when the need arises.

The “Next-of-Kin” is one of such requirements during account opening. In Ghana, there is no specific statutory definition of Next-of-Kin. It generally
refers to an account holder’s closest living relative who could be contacted in
the event the account holder is not reachable. Typically, an account holder will be required to provide the name, address, and telephone number of the
person nominated as Next-of-Kin.

The term “Next of Kin” in account opening and other banking related products
and services forms is often misconstrued. There is a pervasive misconception
that the person nominated as Next-of-Kin by the account holder automatically
inherits the funds in the account when the account holder passes on.

For the avoidance of doubt let us appreciate the following:

i. The person nominated as the Next of Kin does not automatically inherit
or gain access to the account or the funds in the account of the deceased.

ii. To inherit or have access to the account of a deceased customer, one
will have to be named in the deceased customer’s Will as a beneficiary of the account, and a court of competent jurisdiction will have to grant
Letters of Probate to empower the person who has been named in the Will as a beneficiary, to obtain access to the deceased customer’s
account.

iii. Administrators of the estate of a person who dies intestate can be appointed through Letters of Administration (L.A.) issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, which grants access to a deceased customer’s account.

Based on this understanding, it is important to choose a Next of Kin who is capable of providing relevant information about you, when the need arises.

As
much as possible we encourage the choice of Next-of-Kins to be of legal age.
In summary, please note that even if one is named as a Next of Kin in an account opening or other related banking product and services document,
they will still need to provide legal documents, such as death certificate, Letters of Administration or Letters of Probate to be able to access a deceased customer’s account.

(SGD)
SANDRA THOMPSON (MS)
THE SECRETARY

28/08/2024

SCHOOL SELECTION-2024

Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) wishes to inform you that, the school selection process is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, 28th August to Wednesday, 4th September, 2024.

Parents and guardians are particularly advised to take keen interest in the school selection exercise to ensure a smooth placement this year.

Again, there would be an opportunity for candidates to text to a short code and confirm their school choices before actual placement will be done. Details of the short code will be made communicated in due course.

Please note that, Officers from the Headquarters will be observing the selection exercise across the country.

You are kindly requested to communicate this all-important exercise to all the Metro/Municipal/District Directors of Education, Examination Officers and stakeholders within your jurisdiction.

Thank you.

PRINCE C. AGYÉMANG-DUAH

AG. DIRECTOR, SCHOOLS AND INSTRUCTIONS DIVISION

For: DIRECTOR-GENERAL

27/08/2024

It has become necessary to create a WhatsApp channel for ITN. Our page's are too busy with messages that it's difficult to keep track of important ones. Channel Link in comments section. Share with others who might be interested in joining.

27/08/2024

PRESS RELEASE

AGITATIONS AND CONSEQUENCES ON INDUSTRIAL PEACE

The Teacher Unions have observed with great concern the uneasy calm and agitations by teachers owing to the display of lukewarm attitude to the directives by the National Labour Commission, NLC and the feet dragging by government on the concerns of Teachers which has culminated into serious anger and agitations at the grassroots. For the avoidance of doubt, the promises as captured in the SIGNED Collective Agreement, CA, on 24th May 2024, are as follows, that:

i. One month after signing of the CA, Minister for Education would initiate the process of engaging the Teacher Unions for the commencement of negotiations on the Deprived Area Allowance.

ii. Promotion from Deputy Director (DD) to Director II (DII) and then to Director 1 (DI) to be resolved by September 2024.

The GES would collaborate with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to ensure that the disparities in the salary levels of DD and below in the GES are corrected.

iv. It would keep the promise made to the NLC, to deliver the TM 1 laptops on the new deadline of August 31, 2024, and to ensure that this time round, every teacher whose money was deducted receives his/her laptop for the sake of peace in the industrial space.

Other Major Challenges

i. Twelve (12) months arrears of our Tier-2 deductions

ii. The activities of the Public Services Commission, PSC, of which we warned GES earlier. owing to the historical antecedent which led to H.E. Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo, directing the PSC, to exclude GES. The GES & PSC have started again, and the problems are worse than in the past. Eg. Delays in upgrading, difficulties in reinstatement. reduction of rank ete

In view of the above, we call on the GES and Ministry of Education and all the duty bearers to act swiftly to save the precarious and difficult situation currently confronting Teachers by the close of Monday, September 16, 2024. If by the close of the said date we do not receive any favorable response, we shall determine the next line of action.

Thomas T. Musah, General Secretary, GNAT

Angel Cabonu, President, NAGRAT

King Ali Awudu, President, CCT-GH

Dated 27th August, 2024.

27/08/2024

A part-time teacher and digital satellite installer, Joshua Adu Guni, is calling on the public for support to get over his addiction to betting.

Joshua says he needs support to undergo a rehab to help him overcome his addiction having lost so much funds to betting, including money meant for his father’s medical expenses.

In an interview with Zionfelix posted on Instagram, he shared how he started betting in 2019 while he was schooling.

“I started betting in 2019, but my addiction deepened in 2020 when a friend introduced me to roulette at a casino.

25/08/2024

Are you following the manifestos and promises regarding teachers and education? Is there anything new for us? It seems like I'm only seeing things that are already in our collective bargaining agreement.

25/08/2024

24/08/2024

When schools reopen on September 10, most schools in the villages(KG-JHS) will be handled by 3-5 teachers. These teachers will have to be combining 2-4 classes just to occupy every child. At the same time, they will have to spend their meagre salaries purchasing materials due to GES' unwillingness to provide

Something, Say Something
Schools matter

24/08/2024

LET'S EDUCATE OURSELVES ON RETIREMENT PENSION.

I have attempted writing on this topic before but it seems that many of us still need more education on pensions, retirement, and their attendant processes, benefits, and realities thereof.

If you are a teacher on pension or have a relative who is retired and you are actively involved in their lives and have some experiences to share,

Please share in the comments section what you know, have heard, seen, experienced, or encountered that could provide valuable lessons or education to us in active service and those preparing for retirement in the not too distant future.

Would be highlighting some of the comments for education purposes. Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences.
fans

24/08/2024

Good evening. I want to share this with those who might need it. My dad, a teacher, retired at the rank of ADII in 2020. His monthly pension allowance was 1,200. Unfortunately, he passed away last year, and SSNIT paid his 12 years' salary to us, the beneficiaries. The total amount for the 12 years was 140,000. Eiiiiii, hmm.

As young teachers in active service, we need to work extra hard to level up or find creative draconian ways to generate sustainable income sources in order to change our financial situations and that of our families. Otherwise, we should just be waiting for judgment day.

24/08/2024

24/08/2024

Applications are invited from qualified applicants to pursue the following programmes:

1. Diploma in Basic Education (Regular & Sandwich)
The Diploma in Basic Education programme addresses the need for well-trained teachers in Ghana, focusing on improving student outcomes through comprehensive, generalist training. It provides a broad foundation in all subjects, aligning with national education goals and preparing graduates to effectively teach at the basic education level and pursue advanced studies.

2. M.Ed. in Basic Education (Sandwich)
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Basic Education equips educators with advanced knowledge, skills, and specialisations in subjects like English, Science, and Mathematics. It focuses on curriculum design, pedagogy, and research, preparing educators for leadership roles and contributing to educational innovation and policy. The programme aligns with Ghana's national goals for quality education.

Kindly follow the URL below for more information
https://www.uew.edu.gh/bedu/announcements/admission-diploma-med-basic-education